Rising living costs and delayed financial support have pushed University of Abuja students to take on side businesses to meet basic needs. Students reported that expenses for food, transportation, and accommodation have tripled over the past year, making parental stipends insufficient. Many now run online clothing stores, POS services, barbering, sewing, wig-making, and fashion modeling to stay afloat.
Blessing Okafor, a 300-level Economics student, said she sells clothes online and operates a POS business after lectures to afford rent and food. Titilayo Adesina, a Mass Communication student, has been running an online business for two years to reduce reliance on her parents, using income for personal needs and emergency savings. Dogara Prince, a student barber, learned his trade through online tutorials and struggles to balance customers with academic commitments, sometimes losing clients to avoid missing classes.
Gloria Idoko, an English Language student, runs a sewing and fashion design business, prioritizing academics despite scheduling pressures. Victoria Ameh, a Nursing student, combines a wig business with fashion modeling, identifying time management as her biggest challenge. Students agree that rising costs have made side hustles necessary, with some noting added benefits like financial independence and improved time management.
Students are forced to generate income independently because family support no longer covers essential costs. Affected students must plan schedules carefully to balance academic demands with business responsibilities.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
